Purpose & Vision

Core Purpose of Clinical Psychology Training  

The core purpose of the DClinPsy Programme is to improve the lives of people who have psychological or physical health problems through training high quality evidence-based practitioners whose training is underpinned by both conventional and innovative approaches to applied clinical and psychological services research. We aim to train high quality future practitioner clinical psychologists who are able to meet and influence the future client and organisational needs of the National Health Service. The Programme strives to integrate theory with practice and places importance on conducting and utilizing applied research. We also aim to foster an understanding of the individual in context, the role of power in society and the utility of community psychology principles in practice.

The principle of a professional doctorate is the integration of academic knowledge with its application within fieldwork or practical settings. Trainees who pass the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology will have been judged to demonstrate doctoral-level competence - as prescribed by the British Psychological Society and Health & Care Professions Council - within each of the following areas:

1. Psychological knowledge and theory relevant to clinical psychology

2. Application of psychological knowledge to practice

3. Knowledge and understanding of professional issues

4. Clinical competence and professional conduct

5. Empirical ability

As such graduates of the DClinPsy programme will be considered competent to work in a range of health and care settings, such as those provided by the NHS and other statutory organisations, and with a range of different client groups.

The BPS’ Vision of Clinical Psychologists

‘Clinical Psychology sits within a growing family of psychological professions, most of which work with circumscribed groups, presentations or models of therapy or offer protocolised interventions.

A defining feature of the clinical psychologist is the capacity to draw from a pluralistic applied psychological evidence base, utilise different models of therapy; work in a variety of settings and roles and hold the needs and choices of the service user, their families and networks as central to their work. 

Clinical Psychologists work with colleagues in other psychological professions, often in supervisory, consultative or leadership roles, as well as working across organisations within the health, social and voluntary sectors to support and enhance psychological services for our communities.’

Defining features of Clinical Psychologists

Clinical Psychologists…

1. Draw from a pluralistic theoretical and evidence base.

2. Provide different types of psychological therapy, interventions and other psychological services

(at least CBT+1, employing direct & indirect approaches).

3. Work with a range of people in a variety of settings

(across the lifespan and including supervisory & leadership roles).

4. Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility of approach 

(in order to meet the diverse needs and choices of service-users, families and carers).

Our Vision of the Clinical Psychologist 

• Possesses a substantial depth & breadth of psychological knowledge & understanding.

• Possesses & demonstrates strong personal & professional values and ethics.

• Integrates a wide range of interpersonal, biological, social & cultural factors in their understanding of psychological distress (including an understanding of the impact of historic and current power, privilege & disadvantage).

• Is safe & effective in the application of their knowledge and skills, demonstrating the competence to promote wellbeing and alleviate distress at an individual, group & community level.

• Possesses a high level of empirical ability and applies this in their work.

• Demonstrates exemplary professional behaviour & conduct.

• Takes responsibility and holds themselves and others to account within the workplace.

• Demonstrates flexibility and creativity to meet the diverse and unique needs of those they support.